Sandhem: Lake, Hiking Trails and Culture

Sandhem combines a lake with varied hiking trails, a vibrant events culture and remarkable traces of cultural history. Lake Sandhemssjön covers approximately 84 hectares and has a shoreline of around 8 kilometres. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Sandhem can easily shape their preferred travel rhythm around these different experiences: days by the water, short hikes, historical discoveries or events at Sägnernas Hus.

Water, Trails and Activity

The Kohagen bathing area is located on Lake Sandhemssjön. It has a bathing jetty, a playground and a barbecue area. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with a break outdoors, while the lake itself provides a defining landscape experience in Sandhem.

Several trails with different characteristics are available for hiking. The Kyllemo Trail starts at Sandhem station and is 4.7 kilometres long. It leads through the village as well as through a mixed forest and cultural landscape. The Hene Trail starts at Sägnernas Hus and is 5.0 kilometres long. The yellow-marked Sägnernas Trail is 5.7 kilometres long, can be walked in both directions and runs through a predominantly flat, mixed forest and cultural landscape. This information helps you choose a suitable route for each holiday day without combining the trails into a single route.

Another option is the disc golf course in the recreation area by the illuminated walking path. It has been in existence since 2022 and comprises twelve holes in varied, hilly terrain. For families and groups, this location can provide an additional activity alongside hiking and spending time by the lake. Sandhem station also has step-free access and free parking. Since the Kyllemo Trail starts there, the station is also a practical point of reference for this outing.

Church, Heritage Farm and Historic Trails

Sandhem Church was inaugurated in 1841. It is the fourth church in Sandhem and the third to be built on the same site. The 19th-century building was constructed in the Empire style and is located on the shore of Lake Sandhemssjön. The church contains a processional cross from Limoges in France, dated to the period shortly before 1200. The Skattegården heritage farm is located immediately beside Sandhem Church.

The trails around Sandhem also lead to traces of history. A hiking trail runs from Sandhem Church and was probably part of the early medieval road system known as “Eriksgatuleden”. In some sections, up to twelve sunken roads lie next to one another. Eriksgatuleden also passes through forests and along lakes and farmsteads. Along the way are the remains of Saxarps brännvinsbränneri distillery, considered one of the largest distilleries in Västergötland in the 19th century. There is also a nature-rich lakeside hike between Sandhem and Saxarp.

Events and Local Cuisine

Sägnernas Hus hosts dance evenings, markets, concerts, themed celebrations, fairs and other events for children and adults throughout the year. The venue serves meals before dance events and in connection with visits to its folklore museum. Most of the food and baked goods are prepared on site. In this way, Sägnernas Hus complements the natural and cultural experiences with a place where events, a museum and regional food culture come together. Parking spaces are available there for motorhomes.

Sandhem as a Starting Point for Your Holiday

When looking for accommodation in Sandhem, you can consider the focus of your trip: Anyone planning to hike the Kyllemo Trail can use Sandhem station as a reference point for planning the day; it has step-free access and free parking. For a stay focused on cultural interests and events, Sägnernas Hus can also be included in your plans; meals are served there before dance events and in connection with the folklore museum. For further travel comparisons, you can also view Mullsjö.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Mullsjö.